Transmit e-files and retrieve acknowledgments with CS Connect
You can use CS Connect to transmit electronic files for returns and extensions, as well as to retrieve e-file acknowledgments.
Every return transmitted is acknowledged by the receiving agency (such as the IRS) via the return of an acknowledgment (ACK) file to the transmitter. The acknowledgment file is a record of whether the transmitted returns have been accepted or rejected, along with any errors found by the receiving agency. The ACK includes a postmark date and an acknowledgment issued by agency date. The transmitter generally gets this file from the agency within 2 days of transmitting the returns.
When Thomson Reuters is the transmitter, these acknowledgments are made available through CS Connect 15 minutes after they are received from the agency.
If your firm uses multiple installations of UltraTax CS or multiple file locations, issues can occur with these configurations.
Transmitting electronic returns
To transmit electronic returns (and 1040, 1120, 1065, 990, or 1041 electronic extensions), follow these steps.
note
- For the Modernized e-file (MeF) program, IRS maintenance schedules and downtimes are reported on the IRS MeF Status Page.
- If you use a 3rd-party application vendor to transmit electronic returns, consult the vendor's guide for details about transmitting returns.
- Only 1 person at a time can transmit electronic files through CS Connect per data location.
- Select theCS Connect buttonon the UltraTax CS toolbar.
- In the Options tab, select theElectronic Filing: ($) Transmit returnsswitch to set it toYes.noteThis switch is available only after you create electronic files.
- Select theElectronic Filingtab to view a list of electronic returns ready for transmission.noteTheElectronic Filingtab is available only after you set theElectronic Filing: ($) Transmit returnsswitch toYesin theOptionstab.
- Select the clients whose returns you want to transmit during the next CS Connect session, and select theSelectbutton. The selected clients move to Clients queued to transmit.note
- If the electronic file is a FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) return,FBARdisplays in the Product column.
- To remove a client from the list of returns queued to transmit, select the client name, then select theRemovebutton.
- To delete an electronic file from UltraTax CS, select the client name under Clients available to transmit, then selectDelete.
- After all returns you want to transmit are listed under Clients queued to transmit, select theOptionstab. The selected returns are now queued and ready to submit.note
- We highly recommend that you lock theElectronic filing: Retrieve acknowledgementsswitch so that acknowledgments are retrieved with each CS Connect session.
- SelectConnect.noteAvailable acknowledgments are retrieved if you set theElectronic filing: Retrieve acknowledgementsswitch toYes.
Retrieving acknowledgments via CS Connect
UltraTax CS will automatically re-send e-file acknowledgements when there's no activity for over 24 hours. To manually retrieve acknowledgments, follow these steps.
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- If the electronic file is a FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) return, you will receive an acknowledgment from the BSA E-Filing System. The BSA E-Filing System processes FinCEN Form 114 electronic files and transmits acknowledgments to Thomson Reuters within 1 business day, per the FBAR Electronic Filing Technical Overview, pages 24 and 26. The acknowledgments are then available for download via CS Connect.
- For 1040 and 1041 returns, acknowledgments are normally processed by the IRS within 24 to 48 hours from the time you send the return. If you use the UltraTax CS Electronic Filing tool and don’t receive an acknowledgment within this timeframe, there may be a processing delay at the service center.
- For 1120, 1065, 990, and 2290 returns, acknowledgments are normally processed by the IRS within 24 hours from the time you send the return. If you use the UltraTax CS Electronic Filing tool and don’t receive an acknowledgment within this timeframe, there may be a processing delay at the service center.
- Select the CS Connect button on the UltraTax CS toolbar.
- In the Option tab, select theElectronic filing:Retrieve acknowledgementsswitch to set it to Yes.
- Select the Connect button.
After you retrieve acknowledgments, you can view the updated status of the electronic file in the
Electronic Filing Status
window.Retrieving acknowledgments via CS Connect background services
To automatically download acknowledgments via CS Connect background services, follow these steps.
- SelectSetup, thenSystem Configuration.
- Select theCS Connecttab.
- If needed, set theEnable CS Connect Background Servicesswitch to Yes if not already marked.
- Set theDownload electronic filing acknowledgmentsswitch to Yes.
- SelectOK.
Retrieving watermarked Schedules 1 for 2290 via CS Connect
To retrieve the watermarked Form 2290 Schedule 1 from Thomson Reuters using CS Connect, follow these steps.
note
CS Connect will download only the watermarked Schedule 1 when the firm is either licensed for FileCabinet CS or GoFileRoom.
- Select theCS Connect buttonon the UltraTax CS toolbar.
- In the Option tab, select theElectronic filing: Retrieve acknowledgementsswitch to set it toYes.
- SelectConnect.
After you retrieve acknowledgments, you can view the updated status of the electronic file in the
Electronic Filing Status
window.